Page 22 of Addiction

He shifted his leg and pulled her closer to him. His hardness pressed into her belly. Her nipples tightened in response. Oh God. There were too many clothes separating her skin from his.

Cheers of Happy New Year resounded around her. She heard the crowd wishing the Oshnov brothers a happy birthday from somewhere far away. Reluctantly, she pulled back and stared at Armaan. He was watching her, too. A sane part of her mind told her that she ought to step away from him, but she couldn’t get herself to move from the warm circle of his arms. Standing with him felt… It felt good. His lips tipped. A loud boom rented the air. She looked up as fireworks exploded above them in a myriad of colors, filling the sky. It was beautiful.

Armaan turned his head and frowned. Navya looked at where he was staring. Both his brothers were standing arm in arm, staring at them. Mihir beckoned him with a finger. Armaan looked at her instead.

“I think your brothers are calling you,” she breathed out.

“I think my brothers can wait.” He shifted closer to her and kissed her cheek. “Happy New Year,moya tigritsa. This year has begun in the best way possible, all thanks to you. So, aren’t you going to wish me happy birthday?”

His words fired her senses back to life. Fuck. What the hell was she doing? She backed a few steps.

His brothers reached him. Mihir drew him in a hug and wished him, and then Vedant did the same. The three men stood in a tight circle, arm in arm, speaking quietly. Several people came forward to wish them.

Shit. What was she waiting for? Seeing him distracted, she quickly made her way down the stairs and rushed to the exit. Thankfully, Reina was waiting there for her.

Her sister rushed to her. “Are you okay? I saw him and you?—”

“Not now,” Navya cut her off.

“But you were kissing…”

“I said not now,” Navya retorted.

When her sister still looked doubtful, Navya took her hand and hurried her. What could she even tell Reina? There was no rational explanation to what had happened to her body when he was near. She’d known the second she was in his arms that she’d regret her actions, yet she’d allowed herself to get carried away by him.

Just before she exited, despite her instincts warning her not to, she turned. Her eyes went straight to the VIP section, where Armaan was watching her from the railing, arms crossed. He took out his phone and started to type. Afraid that he wouldn’t let her go, she spun around and rushed outside. Her phone started to ping just as she took it from the security. She knew without a doubt who was messaging her. Only when they were seated in the car and outside the boundary of his home did she check her messages. There were six messages from him.

I figured you were going to run the first opportunity you got.

That was the only reason you were so eager to return to the party.

Just remember, you managed to escape tonight only because I let you.

Also, I proved my point, moya tigritsa. You can no longer deny that you are most definitely attracted to me.

You can run all you like, but I am coming after you.

You will be mine, and soon.

She shivered, snuggling deeper into her coat. With a start, she realized it was his coat that she was still wearing. Her heart began to thunder in her ears. What was wrong with her? How could she have kissed him like that? What had she been thinking?

She pressed her fingers to her temple. The truth was that she hadn’t been thinking at all. She had wanted to kiss him, to know his taste, to know how his lips felt on hers.

She hated him, she tried reminding herself. But after that kiss, those words sounded enormously false. He was right. She definitely didn’t hate him. The truth was that she was extremely attracted to him—had been from the first time she’d met him. He sparked something inside her. Something that had been lying dormant for too long. It was pure, unadulterated need. A desire for a man so strong that she was losing her mind. Fuck. Of all the men in the world, it had to be him. It looked like fate had decided it would definitely be amusing to watch her fumble through an attraction to a man who wasn’t right for her.

She reread his messages. She had proved to him, and to herself, that she was incapable of resisting him. If he came after her with the same intensity he’d shown her tonight, then… then… THEN. Fuck. For the first time in her life, she was judging her capability to stay away from a man. And not just any man. Armaan Oshnov. The man known to the world for getting what he wanted.

God. What had she just unleashed upon herself?

6

Dubai

One week later

Ever since she’d gotten back, work had been so hectic that Navya had barely gotten to spend time at home. She’d been working late most nights, only to come home for a quick bite and some sleep. It had become her routine. But she didn’t mind it. Her work was her passion and the one thing that made her wake up every morning. And being busy meant less time to think of… She stopped herself in time.

She glanced outside her car window, taking in the passing sights as her chauffeur drove her to the venue of an event. Tonight was the first time in the week that she’d actually stepped out of her house to socialize. And what an exciting night it was going to be. The first of many more, she hoped.

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